Portugal 2-1 Croatia Player Ratings: Gonçalo Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo rescue victory from jaws of defeat | OneFootball

The enigma named Rafael Leão stepped up big time for the Seleção against Croatia (Photo: FPF)

The Seleção rode its defense, Diogo Costa heroics, and no small amount of luck to record an extraordinary 2-1 victory over Croatia in Toronto last night. On the anniversary of Diogo Jota’s passing, Portugal proved most resilient in a game of very tight margins with three offside calls ruling out Croatia goals. Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonçalo Ramos did the honors, setting up a mouthwatering R16 encounter with Spain on Monday.

Starters

Diogo Costa – 8

Got down well to stop Budimir’s 3rd minute effort then only touched the ball 4 additional times in the first half, such was Portugal’s control. The second half was quite different. Denied Kovačić in the 48th minute, then got into high gear, making two outstanding saves from Kovačić in the 76th. Made himself big to block Mantanović’s near post effort a minute later. Quietly having an unbelievable tournament - Portugal’s best player across these 4 matches - and a huge reason they progress to face Spain in the R16.

Nuno Mendes – 7.5

Much better than his group stage performances. Wonderful ball for Leão early then put in several more dangerous crosses in the first half. Should have shot instead of passed when clean through on goal in the first minute of the second half. Made 3 interceptions – often after high speed pursuits to stop a counterattack - completed 3 dribbles and notched 4 key passes on 89 touches.

Renato Veiga – 7

Headed over a Nuno Mendes corner in the 16th. Won three headers and finished joint-top with 5 clearances. His passing was decent but his positional discipline let him down at times. Missed another good opportunity to head home the winner in the 87th then thought he had played in Pašalić to score a very, very late equalizer only for VAR to rule it out. But with the midfield in almost total disarray, Veiga held it down when it mattered.

Rúben Dias – 8

Immense. Received an early booking and supporters might well have feared it would affect his confidence when making challenges. Dias instead put in yet another performance reminding onlookers why he is arguably the most important player on this team. Picked up the pieces left by the total sham of a midfield ahead of him – 5 tackles, 5 clearances, 3 interceptions, 5 headers won, 92% passing on 111 touches. Not quite Pepe…..but not as far off as he once was.

João Cancelo – 5

Great 30th minute ball for Ronaldo, Cancelo was involved in some neat attacking movements early on. Faded quickly after the break - beaten by Kovacic in the 48th and not nearly close enough to Perišić to block the opener. Replaced by Semedo just as Croatia began to get the better of him. Only 37 touches in 63 minutes and he will be lucky to keep his place against Spain.

João Neves – 6.5

No ‘wow’ moments from the PSG man, but worked incredibly hard all night winning 5/5 tackles. Clearly not as comfortable without Vitinha beside him and needs to be more direct.

Bruno Fernandes – 5.5

Went so close in the 4th minute and it looked as if he would finally light up this tournament. Hit another fine effort in the 34th then faded completely out of the game. As influential as Bruno is to this side, he needs to be on the ball more often. For the Seleção to have a chance against Spain, Bruno must revert to form, taking risks and driving into the box in support of Portugal’s forwards.

Vitinha – 6

Afforded the usual control in midfield but the final ball was completely absent. Muscled off the ball right before Kovačić burst through on goal at the start of the second half. Withdrawn for Bernardo Silva just after the hour mark, his creative genius gone missing.

Rafael Leão – 8.5, PortuGOAL.net’s Man of the Match

It was a little bit of everything from Leão tonight. Great burst down the left to square for Bruno early on but Croatia wised up to his threat and shut him out of the game. Skied over a volley in first half stoppage time and appeared to revert to old form making him such an unbearable frustration when he hung Mendes out to dry prior to the cross which found Perišić on its way to the back of the net. Skipped inside his marker to strike the bar with real venom in the 58th then went missing…..until stoppage time when he put in a peach of a cross – his best ever for Portugal – to assist Ramos’ winner and run out a hero.

Pedro Neto – 5

Lost tonight. Not one special run, pass, or shot. At this stage, Neto is surely not having the kind of tournament he imagined. Will he get another opportunity vs Spain?

Toronto's huge Portuguese community collectively went wild as Cristiano Ronaldo's trademark goal celebration gets an airing in their back yard (Photo: FPF)

Cristiano Ronaldo – 7

Just missed out on several first half crosses. Shot straight into the wall with a free kick then drifted out of the match entirely. Superbly took down a long ball over the top on the hour mark, his deft finish marked fractionally offside. Then fired in a 67th minute penalty after Veiga was held on a corner kick, his very first World Cup knockout round goal. Subbed off early for the first time in the tournament as Croatia began to stamp their authority on proceedings.

Substitutes

Francisco Conceição – 5.5

Not physically up to the challenge and unable to deal with the midfield chaos generated by Martínez’s quadruple substitution. Full of running, but aimless and

Bernardo Silva – 5

Wave after wave sliced through midfield leaving Bernardo Silva without answers. Completed 26/27 passes but unable to create any chances or effectively support the defence.

Nélson Semedo – 6

Did just enough to put off Pašalić at the back post just minutes before full-time. Completed a nice dribble and connected on one key pass. With Cancelo struggling, does he see more time against Spain?

As so often in his career thus far, Gonçalo Ramos came off the bench to make a crucial contribution (Photo: FPF)

Gonçalo Ramos – 7

Rose between two Croatian defenders to score the winning goal, confirming his super-sub reputation. A massive goal for his young career which will fan into flame demands for his inclusion in the starting XI.

Rúben Neves – 6.5

How cruel would it have been to score an own goal like that? But VAR spared him. Sent on for Ronaldo in a vain effort to calm things down after the quadruple substitution turned the game upside down. Made a crucial intervention and kicked the ball wide to Leão in the build-up to Ramos’ winner.